This Week In Fraud.

So as you might've been aware, there's been a series of fraud accusations against the parents of popular Korean actors and artists. Let's recap some of the fraud allegations made in the past week or so:

1) Rappers Microdot and Sanchez's parents have been "accused of borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars from family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues and not returning the funds."

2) Singer Rain's parents have been accused of borrowing approximately 17 million KRW (~15,000 USD) worth of rice, as well as 8 million KRW (~7,000 USD) in cash from the victim's rice shop in order to keep their rice cake shop running. Rain's parents reportedly refused to pay back the debt and disappeared.

3) MAMAMOO's Whee In's father, who ran a container, portable bathroom, and caravan company, deferred payments to the victim's father, who worked as a freighter in charge of transporting cargo. Whee In's father supposedly used Whee In's status as an excuse to delay payment and establish trust. Even after the victim's father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, payments were delayed. The victim's father passed away 3 years ago, and Whee In's father still owes 20 million KRW (~17,703 USD) to the victim's family.

4) Actress Cha Ye Ryun's father (who separated from the family when she was 19) supposedly borrowed over 1 billion KRW (~885,000 USD) using Cha Ye Ryun's status as an actress as a tool to borrow more money. Following her debut, multiple individuals invaded filming sets and agency buildings in order to demand their money back.

5) Rapper Dok2's mother was accused of swindling 10 million KRW (~9,000 USD) from a longtime friend right after the financial crisis of the late 1990s and then disappearing.

Some of these celebrities, especially Whee In and Cha Ye Ryun, have noted that these instances were beyond their control and knowledge. However, the tragic truth is that all 5 of these celebrities will most likely be paying for the mistakes of their parents.

What international fans need to understand is the tremendous, almost extreme sense of filial piety in South Korea. A child's respect for their parents when young often turns into obligation and financial responsibility as they become an adult and their parents are no longer able to support themselves properly, usually in the financial sense of things. Even though many of these artists were not in contact with the parents who committed these acts of fraud, their obligation as children almost forces them to take care of these problems.

In addition, these are some of the most famous celebrities in South Korea. Rain is often regarded as one of the pioneers of K-Pop and Whee In is a beloved idol of one of the most popular groups in Korea. They do not want to further risk tainting their reputation as artists by letting this controversy just continue exploding on social media. The victims' goal are to receive a settlement of some sort. The accused celebrities want this controversy quick as possible. Thus, their interests line up: pay the settlement, and get it over with.

It is also worth noting that many of these accusations came within little time of each other. Though it may seem like a series of unfortunate controversies, I personally think it is instead a thread of well-time accusations made thanks to one, significant controversy. Microdot's controversy first exploded around November 20, and was one of the earliest fraud allegations made in this 'fraud crisis'. I think that although many of these victims may have legitimate claims, they weren't brave enough to come out with a controversy this large on their own. Thus, after seeing Microdot's controversy receive sympathy and public attention, each victim found the courage to step up and make their case. All 5 of these controversies happened more or less within 1 week of each other. I personally do not believe this to be a coincidence. In many ways, this actually reminds of the #MeToo movement, which has followed a similar form of exploding popularity and national sympathy in Korea.

I'd like to clarify that currently, I am not on one particular side over another. I think that both sides have some legitimate arguments, so it is important to discuss each perspective through a discussion.

So what do you think about the 'fraud crisis' striking Korean celebrities? Should children be morally held responsible to pay for the actions of their parents? Is this sense of extreme filial piety misguided? Were these accusations made in opportunistic motivations? Let's start a discussion below. And please guys, keep it civil.

The title on the article made me laugh. Not that the actual topic is funny at all. And while I believe one or more these cases may be legit, I'm pretty sure not all of them are - whether completely untrue or simply exaggerated.

Share

-1

mipcy21 days ago 0

21 days ago

It's a very casual title.

Share

10

Secretninja31221 days ago 0

21 days ago

Edit: whoops! Accidentally posted twice, sorry...

you know, I clicked on this thinking it was going to be another shit post of a story but it’s actually very well written, informative and compiles this entire storm of a situation in to one article. I have a feeling this is far from over and we’re going to hear more accusions in the following weeks. I’m sure some of these people have legit claims but I’m also sure a handful of these will be people trying to deframe certain celebrities or trying to make a quick money off of them from some small situation

Share

8

myma21 days ago 0

21 days ago

I have been accused of clicking on articles just because they have a good title.

Good title! Sums it all up!

Share

4

Secretninja31221 days ago 0

21 days ago

you know, I clicked on this thinking it was going to be another shit post of a story but it’s actually very well written, informative and compiles this entire storm of a situation in to one article. I have a feeling this is far from over and we’re going to hear more accusions in the following weeks. I’m sure some of these people have legit claims but I’m also sure a handful of these will be people trying to deframe certain celebrities or trying to make a quick money off of them from some small situation

Share

3

little_giant21 days ago 0

21 days ago

One thing that this writer forgot to say and all of yall dont know: In Korea, borrowing money like this and not paying it back is VERY COMMON. People used to literally come to my family even though they had no blood relations to us to ask for money just because they were neighbors. My family has had land stolen from relatives and then the land was sold off because they were in debt.

Korea is unique bc it rapidly became industrial after the war while starting from the poorest nation in the world. The 2 generations above us were not exactly living in the privileged ways we all are today. Things were economically hard. Definitely not acceptable to steal money, but realize that its not uncommon

Share

2

2fat20 days ago 0

20 days ago

I think a couple of these sound a little fishy. Still most of these are paltry enough that the celebs can pay up. It's a shame that this becomes a career killer for the lesser celebs. Rain doesn't have to worry about these accusations. He can survive this, he just better not ever get caught doing anything shitty to Kim Tae hee. The Korean public will flay him alive. I feel sorry for Microdot. He can't control his parents behavior. That's not just Korean that everywhere. Sucks.

Share

1

lembulee196120 days ago 0

20 days ago

Those who borrow should pay.Its their responsibilities and not others......People should not judge their children or family.

Share

1

jeyjin20 days ago 0

20 days ago

I hope this starts a discussion about how ethical it is to have children pay for the horrible decisions of parents. Since this is ingrained in their culture, i'm not optimistic.

Share

1

thesiiiiickest20 days ago 0

20 days ago

You know I've been wondering what was with all the fraud articles lately, so thanks for explaining and clearing that up!! Yea borrowing money in Korea/ scams/ fraud is VERY common in Korea. Among friends and family members. It is ALWAYS best to never lend money ever. Unless you are well off enough and 100% okay with the chance that you may never see that money again.

Share

1

Crashingshores21 days ago 0

21 days ago

Well-written article!

Share

0

jpsanman17 days ago 0

17 days ago

I can understand the celebrities paying off $10-20k just to quickly get rid of the issue, but close to a million dollars is just insane.

Share

0

synthwarrior20 days ago 0

20 days ago

Tune in next week for even more fraud.

Share

0

armyarohablink20 days ago 0

20 days ago

Saw this in my notifications and was like "This is the new CNN 10"

Share

0

shyloone20 days ago 0

20 days ago

im over all this fraud stuff dishing up shit on kpop idols parents past is just bullcrap,

Share

0

shyloone20 days ago 0

20 days ago

well all i can say is their sure is alot of money lenders out their an just because they cant get the money from the people they lent to they try get it of their children after they see them becoming famous

Share

0

KimAC20 days ago 0

20 days ago

You can't choose your relatives. Having said that, whatever culture, there are family that will take advantage. You can choose to stay with them and let them take more advantage of you, or you can dump and run.

Share

0

HyperQ420 days ago 0

20 days ago

lol parents do shit

Share

0

mipcy21 days ago 0

21 days ago

Frauds, frauds everywhere.

Share

0

StCatMouse21 days ago 0

21 days ago

Isn't there a statute of limitation as some of these claims are decades old.

Share

-1

krell21 days ago 0

21 days ago

IF the 'Net Worth' of the Family is now *better* than it once was in the past when the *alleged* FRAUD took place, then YES, they should make SOME kind of settlement MONEY OFFER to those who have a VALID claim. Maybe a *reasonable* YEARLY amount that is 'divided up' among the 'claimants' would work ... As to the 'rigged timing' of it (multiple incidents getting mentioned in S.K), it might also just be a 'piling on' effect that was not planned actually ... As to the headline "The Week in Fraud" ... LOL ... And who believes in HALLYU anyway? ... ;)